Re: Allignment Hell Part III

[STEADIRIC@aol.com]

>    I need to rant...  THe dealership called back and said that in order   
>for them to do the rear allignment that they would need to replace all   
>rear tie rods, "three-point mounts" and all rear bushings to the tune of   
>$2,970.00!!!!  I am so glad that the tech left this on my voice mail   
>because I would have reached through the phone line and killed him for   
>saying that to me!
>    So are they insane?  Could the whole rear end be so shot that it is   
>not workable?  What can I do?  Help!

Alright let's go through the rear part by part.

All prices are new dealer cost.

The rear tie-rods (Camber links actually) are $261/ea  Total for both $522

Unless they have TOTALLY Trashed the three point mounts when removing the 
rear tie-rods there is NO Reason to replace the three point mount's.....  
The do-not/cannot go bad.

The rear trap link bushing's are $58.40/ea Total for both $116.80

The front trap link bushings/Mounts are $264.65/ea Total for both $529.30

Total if they went this way would be $1168.10 + 4 hours book rate labor 
(Say $65/hr) $260 labor.

Now it sounds like they are wanting to do the job the easy way which 
would be to replace the lower trap links instead of removing them and 
presing the rear bushing's in and out.  That would make the job ALOT more 
expensive.

Rear trap link complete.  $723/ea  Total for both $1446!!!

You would still need the front trap link Bushings/mounts for $529.30 and 
the rear camber links at $522 for a  new total of $2497.30! + the 3.2 
hours book rate labor........


Now BEFORE you tell them to go ahead go to the shop and have them show 
you what's wrong.  Unless the rear trap link bushing is cracked or 
unbonded from it's steel sleve it's fine, Grab the tire at 12 and 6 and 
try to lift the tire up and pull the top out at the same time... will it 
move that way?  If not the camber links are fine.........

Hope that helps.



Later!


Eric Fletcher S.O.C.
'87 5KCSTQIA2RSR2B
St. Louis, MO

STEADIRIC@aol.com